In an effort to provide the public with educational materials that address new and expanding needs in the area of menopausal symptom relief, ABC has established the Black Cohosh Education Project. This project will consist of a new title in ABC's Botanical Booklet series and an overview of literature related to black cohosh that will appear in HerbalGram later this year or early in 1999.

Traditional uses and common knowledge of black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) for the relief of menstrual cramps and menopause dates back to American Indians and to American colonists. Research over the past few years has confirmed those benefits and has paved the way for uses to treat other conditions. As a result, new markets for black cohosh are being created. Health practitioners, manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and, ultimately, consumers will benefit from sound, clear, and responsible information on the benefits of black cohosh.

Major funding for this project was provided by Madis Botanicals, a division of Pure World, with additional support from Frontier Natural Products Co-op.

One of the products of this project, the Botanical Booklet on Black Cohosh, will be peer reviewed, scientifically accurate, and timely. The literature review will be produced as a freestanding piece inserted into HerbalGram. These materials will be widely distributed through many of the channels available to ABC and the companies and organizations that depend on ABC. They will qualify as "third party literature" in compliance with the Dietary Supplement and Health Education Act of 1994 and will be available to industry, health professionals, journalists, and consumers.

Orders for the Botanical Booklet can be placed with the ABC sales office. Additional support is requested to provide the remaining funding for the literature review portion of the project. Contact Wayne Silverman at ABC, 512/331-8868, for information about underwriting this important review.

Article copyright American Botanical Council.

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By Lavinia Baumhoff